Knockdown desk



Patented June 26, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE KNOCKDOWN DESK HarryDerman, Great Neck, N. Y.

Application December 9, 1947, Serial No. 790,523

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to knockdown articles of furniture. Moreparticularly, the invention deals with the knockdown desk comprisingthree primary parts and a shelf member, the parts being detachablyrelated to facilitate compact packaging of the article for shipment andtransportation. The novel features of the invention will be bestunderstood from the following description when taken together with theaccompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention aredisclosed and in which the separate parts are designated by suitablereference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the desk in assembled relationshipshowing the desk top in raised position to give access to the uppercompartment.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1

a with the desk top in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with parts of theconstruction broken away.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective View showing the structure of uppercorner portions of two parts of the desk preparatory to assemblage ofsaid parts; and

Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing two rail structures of the front partof the desk.

In illustrating one adaptation and use of my invention, I have shown inthe accompanying drawing, three primary parts, namely a back and sidewall part 10, a front part i! and a top cover or table part [2. Thecomplete assemblage also includes a partitioning or shelf part 13 whichforms at the top of the assembled article of furniture, such forexample, as a desk, a compartment l4 for the reception of articles to bestored.

The part comprisesa back wall IS with which are foldably or hingedlyrelated, side walls l6 and I1, both of which are of the same generalconstruction. The back wall has top and bottom strips 18 and 19 whichterminate short of the folded corners 20-2l, as clearly indicated by theend 22 of the bottom strip 19, in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Both ends ofthis strip as well as the ends of the strip I 8 are adapted to abutinner surfaces of top and bottom strips 23-24 and 23-24 on the end wallsiE-l'l. This abutment between the strip l9 and the strip 24 is indicatedclearly in Fig. 3 of the drawing. All of the strips l8-l9, 23-23 and24-24 are grooved to receive the wall panels, as will be apparent,

the strips being secured to the panels by any suitable fastener whichare not shown, as they form no part of the present invention.

In collapsing the part It, the walls 16 and I1 fold onto the rearsurface of the wall and the corners 20-21 are preferably reinforcedadjacent the top and bottom strips by reinforcing tapes, two of whichare shown at 25-25, in Fig. 1 of the drawing, between the walls 15 and16, it being understood that similar reinforcements are provided betweenthe walls 15 and 11.

The top and bottom strips 23-24 and 23-24' are all of the sameconstruction. Therefore, the brief description of one will apply to all,and here attention is directed to the upper strip 23' of the wall l1,and it will be noted that the forward end of the strip is cut out toform a projecting tongue 28 centrally thereof, the tongue 26 having anaperture 21 therein adapted to receive a short nail or similar fastener28 in assembling the parts, as later described.

The front part il comprises what may be termed and inverted U-frameformed by a long top strip 29, a somewhat shorter shelf supporting strip30, corner rails 3l-32 and inner rails 33 and 34, the latter definingthe leg openings 35 of the desk. The rails 31-33 and 32-35 are joined atthe lower ends thereof in short trips 36-31. All the strips and rails23-31 are grooved on inner adjacent surfaces in support of wall panels38-39-49- 31 and 42, arranged between the strips and rails in the mannerclearly seen in Fig. l of the drawing.

The strip 29 is recessed, as seen at 43-43 to receive upper ends of therails 33-34. Upper and lower ends of the rails 31-32 are grooved, asseen at 44-44 and 45-45 to receive the ends of the strip 29 and strips35-31, inner ends of the strips 35-31 seating in corresponding grooves46-41 in the lower ends of the rails 33-34.

Again considering Fig. 4 of the drawing, it will appear that the ends ofthe strip 29, and in fact this also applies to the outer ends of thestrips 36-31, is grooved, as seen, for example, at 48 to receive thetongue 26 and the outer rails, for example, the rail 32, as seen at 49,to register with the aperture 21 when the parts are assembled, tofacilitate attachment of the nail or other fastener 28 in retaining theparts together. Only one corner portion is specifically described, butall four front corners will be of the same construction. This fasteningor coupling retains the parts l0 and I! in assembled relationship toeach other.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing, I have shown an exploded view of the strip 30and rail 33, at

' ing.

that portion of both the strip and rails where they intersect. It willapcar that the strip 3% is recessed on its front surface, as at 9 toreceive the rail 33 and the rail 33 is recessed at its rear surface asat 5? to receive the strip 36. A nail or similar fastener, as at ii ispassed through the strip 36 and into the rail 33 in securing the partstogether. This mortise joint coupling rigidly supports the front frameand prevents weaving movement of the frame parts.

In Fig. 5, upper and lower grooves 52 and 53 are shown on the strip 30for reception of the panels 38-39 and the panel 4!, the other unshownend of this strip also receiving the panels 43 and 42. The rail 39 has ashort groove at at its inner surface to receive the panel 39 and a longgroove 55 at its opposed surface for receiving the panels 334l. It willbe understood that the rail 3 is of identical construction to the rail33 and the brief description of one will apply to both.

Secured to the inner surface of the back wall by suitable fasteners, asat 56 and by gluing, if desired, is'a shelf supporting strip 51, theouter surface of which is recessed, preferably at two.

positions adjacent the ends of the strip, one recess being shown at 58in Fig. 3 of the draw- The recesses 58 are adapted to receive tongueportions 59 on the shelf l3. The forward end of the shelf is cut out toreceive the rails (ii-Aid, one of the corner cut-outs being indicated atGil, and one of the cut-outs for the rails 33.35 being shown at 6|, inFig. 3 of the drawing, The edge of the shelf rests upon the strip 3i),as most clearly seen at 62 in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

Various articles of stationery, or otherwise, can be stored within thecompartment i4 and resting upon the shelf 13. Access to the compartmentis accomplished by simply raising the forward end portion of the desktop or cover part I2, in the manner illustrated in the open positionthereof, as seen in Fig, l of the drawing.

The desk top or cover part l2 comprises two ply 63-54 of corrugated orpaper-board of any type or kind, secured together and faced with asuitable facing material, as is known in the art. In this connection, itwill be understood that the wall panels of the other desk parts are alsoof the same construction. No attempt is made to illustrate the completestructure of the walls or panels or the ply 5364 in the present smallsize showing.

Secured to the lower surface of the ply 6364 forming the desk top, is areinforcing frame 65 adapted to fit snugly but freely within the stripsi82323' and 29, the frame being braced centrally by a cross strip 65',as clearly seen in Fig. 1 of the drawing. It is also preferred that thecorner portions of the desk top or cover have triangular corner-pieces,as at 66, to reinforce the corners and these corner-pieces may also beutilized to support additional facings upon the table top, such forexample, as a blotter. In fact, the entire table top will simulateconventional forms of blotter pads, as used on desks, as will beapparent.

Considering Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, it will appear that the outeredges of the desk top or cover part l2 extend beyond the front, back andsides of the desk body. It will be noted in Fig; 2, however, that therear edge portion [2' of the top protrudes less than the front and sideedges so as to enable the desk to be placed rea- Sonably close to theWall of a room, and allover the top to swing freely into open positionin a hinge-like manner. The rear extension l2 will be no greater thanthe average extension of the base molding of a wall.

The various walls or panels of the respective parts, including the top,may be furnished in any desired color or characterized in any desiredmanner to represent furniture or to fit or blend the furniture in theintended room where it is to be used and the wood strips forming thereinforcing frame structure of the parts may be of the same, or asuitable contrasting color, to produce a neat and finished appearance.

-It will be understood that in setting up the normally knockdown parts,the back and side walls are placed under a slight tension by engagementof the ends of the strips IS and IS with inner surfaces of the top andbottom strips In this way, the rear portion of the desk is firmlysupported against relative movement and this dispenses with the need ofhaving a vertical rear corner rail. The front part ll will hold the sidewalls lfil'l in this tensioned position when said walls are coupled withthe front part H and the fasteners 28 are secured in position. In thisconnection it will be understood that a complete assemblage of the deskis accomplished through the medium of four fasteners, such as the nailsor other devices 23, one at each of the front corner portions of thedesk. The position of the strip 30 is such as to provide ample room froma standpoint of height for a person to position the legs in the legopening 35. The desks may be produced in sizes suitable for small orlarge children, or as a service or utility desk for any grown person. Adesk of this type and kind may be well used as a writing desk, or may beused as a sewing desk or table and in any use, the upper compartment Mmay be utilized for the storage of such articles as may be used fromtime to time in the use of the desk for writing, drawing or otherpurposes, such as writing and drawing implements and supplies may bestored. Whereas, when used as a sewing desk, sewing articles can bestored in the compartment and the same would be true of any other uses.

In the knockdown state, it will be apparent that the complete desk orarticle of furniture will be of a thickness equivalent to the thicknessof the part H, the part (5 including the wall thickness l5|'l and thepart I2 and of a size substantially equivalent to the size of the frontsection or part II, except for the added length of the part 12. In otherwords, the entire package would represent a rectangular package slightlylarger than the rectangular form of the part H and of the combinedthicknesses stated above.

Again considering Fig. 5 of the drawing, it will appear that the grooves52-53-54 and 55 are disposed nearer the front surfaces of the strips andrails so as to produce at the front of the cabinet relatively thinfacing strips which produces a neat and finished appearance. At the sametime, this arrangement forms a relatively wide supporting shelf on thestrip 38 for the forward edge of the shelf part l3, as indicated at 62.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A knockdown. article of furniture of the character describedcomprising a back and side wall part, a front wall part and a top wallpart, the back .and side wall parts comprising a back wall with sidewalls foldably joined to the ends of the back wall, all of said wallshaving top and bottom reinforcing and finishing strips throughout thefull length thereof, the front Wall part comprising an inverted U-shapedframe comprising two pair of vertically arranged rails joined byhorizontal strips, with panels intermediate the rails and strips,adjacent vertical rails of said pairs being spaced to form a legopening, the top wall part comprising a ply paper-board sheeting, meanson the under-face of the sheeting for reinforcing the same and forpositioning the top wall part against displacement from upper ends ofthe first named parts, and means at upper and lower corners of thestrips of the front wall part and forward end portions of the upper andlower strips of the side wall parts for coupling'the first two partstogether in forming a desk-like structure.

2. A knockdown article of furniture of the character describedcomprising a back and side wall part, a front wall part and a top wallpart, the back and side wall parts comprising a back wall with sidewalls foldably joined to the ends of the back wall, all of said wallshaving top and bottom reinforcing and finishing strips throughout thefull length thereof, the front wall part comprising an inverted U-shapedframe comprising two pair of vertically arranged rails joined byhorizontal strips, with panels intermediate the rails and strips,adjacent vertical rails of said pairs being spaced to form a legopening, the top 'wall part comprising a ply paper-board sheeting, meanson the under-face of the sheeting for reinforcing the same and forpositioning the top wall part against displacement from upper ends ofthe first named parts, means at upper and lower corners of the strips ofthe front wall part and forward end portions of the upper and lowerstrips of the side wall parts for coupling the first two parts togetherin forming a desk-like structure, said last named means comprising atongue and groove assemblage between the strips of said parts, and afastener device passed through each tongue and groove assemblage.

3. A knockdown article of furniture of the character describedcomprising a back and side wall part, a front wall part and a top wallpart, the back and side wall parts comprising a back wall with sidewalls foldably joined to the ends of the back wall, all of said wallshaving top and bottom reinforcing and finishing strips throughout thefull length thereof, the front wall part comprising an inverted U-shapedframe comprising two pair of vertically arranged rails joined byhorizontal strips, with panels intermediate the rails and strips,adjacent vertical rails of said pairs being spaced to form a legopening, the top wall part comprising a ply paper-board sheeting, meanson the under-face of the sheeting for reinforcing the same and forpositioning the top wall part against displacement from upper ends ofthe first named parts, means at upper and lower corners of the strips ofthe front wall part and forward end portions of the upper and lowerstrips of the side wall parts for coupling the first two parts togetherin forming a desk-like structure, said last named means comprising atongue and groove assemblage between the strips of said parts, afastener device passed through each tongue and groove assemblage, andthe ends of the top and bottom strips of the back wall of the first partbearing upon inner surfaces of the top and bottom strips of the endwalls in firmly maintaining the back and end walls against relativemovement when in assembled relationship.

4. A knockdown article of furniture of the character describedcomprising a back and side wall part, a front wall part and a top Wallpart, the

back and side wall parts comprising a back wall with side walls foldablyjoined to the ends of the back wall, all of said walls having top andbottom reinforcing and finishing strips throughout the full lengththereof, the front wall part comprising an inverted U-sha'ped framecomprising two pair of vertically arranged rails joined by horizontalstrips, with panels intermediate the rails and strips, adjacent verticalrails of said pairs being spaced to form a leg opening, the top wallpart comprising a ply paper-board sheeting, means on the under-face ofthe sheeting for reinforcing the same and for positioning the top wallpart against displacement from upper ends of the first named parts,means at upper and lower corners of the strips of the front wall partand forward end portions of the upper and lower strips of the side wallparts for coupling the first two parts together in forming a desk-likestructure, said last named means comprising a tongue and grooveassemblage between the strips of said parts, a fastener device passedthrough each tongue and groove assemblage, the ends of the top andbottom strips of the back wall of the first part bearing upon innersurfaces of the top and bottom strips of the end walls in firmlymaintaining the back and end walls against relative movement when inassembled relationship, and the reinforcing means of the top wall partcomprising a rectangular frame fitting snugly but freely within theupper strips of the first and second named parts when assembled.

5. A knockdown article of furniture of the character describedcomprising a back and side wall part, a front wall part and a top wallpart, the back and side wall parts comprising a back wall with sidewalls foldably joined to the ends of the back wall, all of said wallshaving top and bottom reinforcing and finishing strips throughout thefull length thereof, the front wall part comprising an inverted U-shapedframe comprising two pair of vertically arranged rails joined byhorizontal strips, with panels intermediate the rails and strips,adjacent vertical rails of said pairs being spaced to form .a legopening, the top wall part comprising a ply paper-board sheeting, meanson the under-face of the sheeting for reinforcing the same and forpositioning the top wall part against displacement from upper ends ofthe first named parts,

means at upper and lower cornersof the strips of the front wall part andforward end portions of the upper and lower strips of the side wallparts for coupling the first two parts together in forming a desk-likestructure, said last named means comprising a tongue and grooveassemblage between the strips of said parts, a fastener device passedthrough each tongue and groove assemblage, the ends of the top andbottom strips of the back wall of the first part bearing upon innersurfaces of the top and bottom strips of the end walls in firmlymaintaining the back and end walls against relative movement when inassembled relationship, the reinforcing means of the top wall partcomprising a rectangular frame fitting snugly but freely within theupper strips of the first and second named parts when assembled, andmeans reinforcing corner portions of the top wall part.

6. In knockdown furniture of the character described, a desk-like bodycomprising two detachably coupled parts, one part comprising a back wallhaving side walls hingedly coupled therewith, the other part comprisingan inverted U-shaped frame forming a front wall to said body with a legopening centrally of the front wall, strips extending longitudinally ofupper and lower edges of the back and side walls, means firmly engagingsaid strips at intersecting corners thereof when the walls are inassembled relationship, the front wall part having pairs of verticalrails joined by horizontal rails, outer vertical rails forming frontcorner portions of said desk body, interengaging portions between thetop and bottom rails of the side walls and upper and lower cornerportions of the rails of the front wall for coupling said walls andfasteners passed through said interengaging means in securing the wallsin assembled relation to form said desk body.

7. In knockdown furniture of the character described, a desk-like bodycomprising two detachably coupled parts, one part comprising a back wallhaving side walls hingedly coupled therewith, the other part comprisingan inverted U-shaped frame forming a front wall to said body with a legopening centrally of the front wall, strips extending longitudinally ofupper and lower edges of the back and side walls, means firmly engagingsaid strips at intersecting corners thereof when the walls are inassembled relationship, the front wall part having pairs of verticalrails joined by horizontal rails, outer vertical rails forming frontcorner portions of said desk body, interengaging portions between thetop and bottom rails of the side walls and upper and lower cornerportions of the rails of the front wall for coupling said walls andfasteners passed through said interengaging means insecuring the wallsin assembled relation to form said desk body, two of the horizontalstrips of said front wall extending between the outer vertical rails ofsaid wall, and the inner vertical rails of the front wall having atongue and groove connection with one of said last named horizontalrails.

8. In knockdown furniture of the character described, a desk-like bodycomprising two detachably coupled parts, one part comprising a back wallhaving side walls hingedly coupled therewith, the other part comprisingan inverted U-shaped frame forming a front wall to said body with a legopening centrally of the front wall, strips extending longitudinally ofupper and lower edges of the back and side walls, means firmly engagingsaid strips at intersecting corners thereof when the walls are inassembled relationship, the front wall part having pairs of verticalrails joined by horizontal rails, outer vertical rails forming frontcorner portions of said desk body, interengaging portions between thetop and bottom rails of the side walls and upper and lower cornerportions of the rails of the front wall for coupling said walls andfasteners passed through said interengaging means in securing the wallsin assembled relation to form said desk body, two of the horizontalstrips of said front wall extending between the outer vertical rails ofsaid wall, the inner vertical rails of the front wall having a tongueand groove connection with one of said last named horizontal rails, ashelf member arranged within the upper portion of said desk body withthe forward edge thereof seating on said last named horizontal rail, andmeans supporting the rear edge portion of the shelf on said back wall.

9. In knockdown furniture of the character described, a. desk-like bodycomprising two detachably coupled parts, one part comprising a back wallhaving side Walls hingedly coupled therewith, the other part comprisingan inverted U-shaped frame forming a front wall to said body with a legopening centrally of the front Wall, strips extending longitudinally ofupper and lower edges of the back and side walls, means firmly engagingsaid strips at intersecting corners thereof when the walls are inassembled relationship, the front wall part having pairs of verticalrails joined by horizontal rails, outer vertical rails forming frontcorner portions of said desk body, interengaging portions between thetop and bottom rails of the side walls and upper and lower cornerportions of the rails of th front wall for coupling said walls andfasteners passed through said interengaging means in securing the wallsin assembled relation to form said desk body, two of the horizontalstrips of said front wall extending between the outer vertical rails ofsaid wall, the inner vertical rails of the front wall having a tongueand groove connection with one of said last named horizontal rails, ashelf member arranged within the upper portion of said desk body withthe forward edge thereof seating on said last named horizontal rail,means supporting the rear edge portion of the shelf on said back wall,said last named means comprising a strip secured to the back Wall, andthe shelf having flange portions interlocking with said strip.

10. In knockdown furniture of the character described, a desk-like bodycomprising two detachably coupled parts, one part comprising a back wallhaving side walls hingedly coupled therewith, the other part comprisingan inverted U-shaped frame forming a front wall to said body with a legopening centrally of the front wall, strips extending longitudinally ofupper and lower edges of the back and side walls, means firmly engagingsaid strips at intersecting corners thereof when the walls are inassembled relationship, the front wall part having pairs of verticalrails joined by horizontal rails, outer vertical rails forming frontcorner portions of said desk body, interengaging portions between thetop and bottom rails of the side walls and upper and lower cornerportions of the rails of the front wall for coupling said Walls andfasteners passed through said interengaging means in securing the wallsin assembled relation to form said desk body, two of th horizontalstrips of said front wall extending between the outer vertical rails ofsaid wall, the inner vertical rails of the front wall having a tongueand groove connection with one of said last named horizontal rails, ashelf member arranged within the upper portion of said desk body withthe forward edge thereof seating on said last named horizontal rail,means supporting the rear edge portion of the shelf on said back wall,said last named means comprising a strip secured to the back wall, theshelf having flange portions interlocking with said strip, a top wallarranged upon the upper ends of the back, side and front walls, andmeans on the under-surface of the top wall fitting within the stripe atthe upper edges of said back, side and front walls for retaining the topwall against displacement.

11, In knockdown furniture of the character described, comprising threeprimary detachably and collapsibly related parts, one of said partscomprising back and side walls, the other part an inverted U-shapedfront wall part and the third a top or cover part, means coupling thetwo short horizontal rails joining lower ends of I each pair of verticalrails, the vertical rails having a notched engagement with saidhorizontal rails, and the panel grooves in all of said vertical andhorizontal rails being disposed in closer prox- REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 242,355 Nicholas May 31, 18811,072,280 Walker Sept. 2, 1913 2,152,609 Stevenson et a1. Mar. 28, 19392,240,767 Friedel May 6, 1941 2,333,585 Rosenfeld et a1. Nov. 2, 19432,360,451 Stone Oct. 17, 1944 imity to the front outer surfaces thereofthan 15 the rear surfaces thereof.

HARRY DERMAN.

